Pesticides, antibiotics and breast-cancer risk

Every time I write an article on breast cancer or any other cancer, I have to remind myself that since scientists don't yet know the cause, talking about prevention is almost just an academic exercise. I also have to remind myself that although there is a long list of lifestyle-change recommendations to reduce our risk, many women who develop breast cancer don't fall in the risk groups.

Anyway, I suppose if women think there is something we can do (in terms of lifestyle changes) to reduce our risk of this dreadful disease, then we won't feel so helpless and hopeless

One of the discussions I have been following on and off is the one on pesticides and antibiotics and their possible link to breast-cancer incidence. The evidence of the link is not conclusive but scientists believe these two substances can act against our efforts as women to prevent breast cancer. It won't hurt to limit our exposure to pesticides and antibiotics.

Pesticides in breast tissue

How exactly would pesticides affect us? According to science, the molecular structure of some pesticides closely resembles that of the female hormone oestrogen and, therefore, can attach themselves to the oestrogen receptors in women's bodies. The research indicates that women with a greater risk for breast cancer seem to have higher levels of pesticides in their breast tissue. Again, I emphasise that the research is not conclusive.

Cut back on antibiotics

Antibiotics are another set of red-flag substances. Recent information from scientists is that there is a link between breast cancer and antibiotic use and the longer women use these products, the greater their risk for breast cancer. Though, I gather from the research that other factors should be taken into consideration in determining risk, such as the strength of the woman's immune system and other illnesses which she might already be suffering.

GMO and breast cancer

The genetically modified organisms (GMOs) discussion is another one to follow. I received quite a few responses to my article on genetically engineered ice cream and other foods (published, September 22).

Since then, I have been on a wild-goose chase just trying to find out who in Jamaica is responsible for some overall policy on the use of GMOs here. In GMOs, the DNA from one species is injected into another species in a laboratory. So, in the laboratory, scientists are able to create combinations of plants, animals, bacteria, and viral genes that we would not find occurring normally in nature or through crossbreeding (which is the method traditionally used).

It is believed that changes in genetically modified (GM) plants can actually change the amount of chemicals naturally produced by the plants. For example, GM technology can increase toxins or decrease protective phyto-nutrients in the plants. The GM soybeans are believed to produce less cancer-fighting isoflavones.

There was a study in The Lancet linking elevated blood levels of IGF-1 (the substance found at higher levels in the milk of cows injected with rBGH or bovine growth hormone) to breast-cancer risk in premenopausal women.

Let's do all we can to protect our health.

Eulalee Thompson is health editor and a professional counsellor; email: eulalee.thompson@gleanerjm.com.